A man who tried to stab a woman to death in St. John’s two years ago will have to wait until the new year before he’s sentenced.

Thirty-seven-year-old William Oliver was first charged in December 2023 with aggravated assault, possessing a dangerous weapon, theft under $5,000, damaging property and breaching court conditions.

But six months later attempted murder was added to the list, to which he has since pleaded guilty.

Police were called to a house on Ricketts Road, near St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, on Dec. 13 of 2023 and found a woman with near fatal stab wounds. Oliver was arrested at the scene and remains in custody at HMP.

The case was set for so-called speedy disposition today, where the facts would be spelled out, a conviction entered, and potential sentencing.

But the judge was told there were issues with transporting Oliver to court this morning. As well, his lawyer said she was unable to meet with him last week, and wanted more time to do that “given the seriousness of this matter.”

Oliver has a lengthy history of serious criminal activity including armed robbery, dangerous and destructive driving, assaults and drug offences.

Sentencing has now been set for late February.